EXCLUSIVE: US DJ Porter Robinson Laments Syd Lockouts & Aus Dance Culture

American post-EDM trailblazer Porter Robinson has lamented the impact of both Stereosonic's suspension and Sydney's lockout laws on Australia's dance culture ahead of his and Hugo "Madeon" Leclercq's one-off Shelter Live Tour next month.

"I think clubbing particularly in Sydney is not as easy as it used to be. It's sad because there's a lot of music that's great that was being made in Australia — and continues to be made in Australia. I haven't been there in a while. I've missed it. I'm really excited to come back."

Robinson and Madeon have long performed independently at Stereosonic, with Madeon's 2011 run here his first-ever international tour. Robinson was last in Australia for 2015's Splendour In The Grass with his Worlds live show.

Madeon recalls fondly, "My very, very first tour ever, the first time I ever toured, was in Australia. I was 16 or 17 and I got a call and I was told that I was gonna play, at the time, Stereosonic — and I was gonna spend two weeks in Australia and tour there.

"That was one of the most formative, memorable experiences of my life, obviously. So every time I come back to Australia — which is never often enough — I remember that and I'm incredibly moved. I have a special connection to Australia. When we put together the [Shelter] tour and knew that we were definitely gonna be able to make it there, that was a big relief. I was hoping we'd be able to do that."